Seamless Service Delivery by Ismaili Volunteers at the 56th Imamat Day Event in Ontario

This year’s 56th Imamat Day event in Ontario, held on June 30, unified our continuously growing Jamat and its thousands of dedicated volunteers, with the common goal of building unity and community.  This auspicious day and diligently planned event allowed over 20,000 Jamati members to come together from across Ontario.

Since our last event, which took place five years ago at the International Centre, changes in the Jamat’s needs have called for a more skilled and specialized volunteer workforce to deliver quality service.  Furthermore, this was the first time that younger members of the Jamat were able to participate collectively and experience our vibrant community.  Khushiali celebrations Convenor Karim Haji and Vice Convenor Karim Macklai worked within the governance structure of the Council for Ontario and led the Khushiali Planning Core Team, which deployed 2,977 registered volunteers to support the festivities.

This year, all volunteers wore navy blue golf shirts to achieve a common look and feel and exemplified the principles of unity and cohesion by coming together as one body in the provision of service to the Jamat.  Mukhi Saheb Karim Macklai says, “We did not want to give any special privileges to one group of volunteers over the other so with the intention of unity in community, we made it so that all resources could be found under one banner of Ismaili Volunteers”.  Not only were volunteers equipped with a new uniform, they were also well prepared on how to enhance hospitality for the Jamat, having participated in a series of training sessions.  A key focus of the Khushiali celebrations was to foster happiness and harmony among the Jamat.  Volunteers worked tirelessly to create memorable moments for the Jamat through quick responses to queries and complaints, going the extra mile and making it all about service and the satisfaction of the Jamat.  

A few perks were also provided to the volunteers who worked so diligently to serve the Jamat at the Khushiali celebrations.  This year’s Volunteer Resource Centre featured a ‘relaxation room’ that allowed volunteers to rejuvenate their spirits by receiving fifteen-minute massages from a physiotherapist.  Extremely impressed, volunteers said this made them feel appreciated and gave them energy to continue performing their duties with excellence. “Not only was it important to treat the Jamat well but this year we made sure not to forget about our volunteers,” says Mukhi Saheb Karim Macklai.